Mosquito bites are more than a nuisance; they can threaten your pet's life.
A bite can transmit a very serious, infections illness called "Heartworm
Disease" Heartworm Disease occurs in dogs and cats wherever and whenever
mosquitoes are found. It is most common in the warmer months and warmer
parts of the country, but can be a problem just about anywhere in the
country. Prevention of Heartworm Disease should be a part of a pet's routine
health care.

Heartworm Disease is caused by a parasite named Dirofilaria immitis. In
their immature, microscopic stage, the heartworms are carried by mosquitoes.
They are injected into your pet while the mosquito is feeding. The immature
worms migrate through the body, eventually reaching the heart, lungs, and
connecting blood vessels. In approximately six months, they grow to become
adults as long as 14 inches in length. When they reproduce, their tiny
offspring, called microfilariae, circulate in the bloodstream. At this point
they can be spread to another animal by a mosquito bite.

Because these parasites live in the heart and blood vessels, the disease
signs are those of heart and lung problems. Animals with heartworm disease
may tire easily, cough, loose weight, and have trouble breathing. As the
illness progresses, animals may have fluid build-up in the abdomen and
swelling of the legs. If not identified and treated, heartworms can cause
collapse and the death of the pet. Cats may show no signs, but die without
warning.

Heartworms are identified using a simple blood test. Dogs should be
routinely screened for heartworm disease, as treatment is most successful if
the illness if identified in its early stages. If a dog is identified as
having Heartworm Disease, it can be treated with an injectable medication.
The treatment is carried out in two stages, carries some risk, and requires
the animal to be rested for several weeks.

Prevention is much easier that treatment. All dogs should be routinely
tested for Heartworm Disease. Testing is typically done on an annual basis,
although some dogs may require more frequent testing. Dogs with a negative
heartworm test should be placed on a preventative medication. It is
important to understand that the preventative should never be given without
performing the blood test. Placing any animal on preventative that is
already infected with heartworms can result in a severe reaction and the
death of the animal.

Several types of preventative medication are available, including tablets
given on a daily basis, monthly tablets, and a monthly spot-on topical
solution. Animals should be on preventative medication whenever mosquitoes
are present. Even animals on year-round preventative medication need yearly
heartworm tests. This way any accidental infection can be identified and
treated. Cats can also be placed on a monthly heartworm preventative
medication, available either as a tablet or a spot-on topical solution.

Heartworm Disease is a potentially fatal disease that is difficult and
dangerous to treat. However, it is easy to prevent. Routine blood testing
and the use of preventative medications can stop heartworms before they
cause disease in you pets.